HITC Sport understands from sources close to the club that Exeter City have agreed a deal to sign Preston North End winger Lee Holmes permanently after a successful spell on loan.

Holmes joined Exeter on loan from Preston in mid-March and made an immediate impact, helping the club to finish in tenth spot in League Two and in the process pick up the club’s player-of-the-month award for April.

Exeter boss Paul Tisdale had made the signing of Holmes one of his top priorities this summer and he sees him as a key addition as he plans to build a side capable of winning promotion next season.

Holmes' contract at Preston expires this summer and he has been informed that he will not be getting a new deal at Deepdale and that he is free to move on

Pete O'Rourke

A sports journalist for nearly 20 years after graduating from the University of Sheffield with a degree in journalism. He has worked as a reporter for Press Association Sport, PlanetFootball.com and skysports.com. He is now a freelance journalist, working for ESPN among other clients. He has a particular expertise in breaking transfer news from all leagues across Europe and exclusive interviews.